Saratoga Brewing releasing double IPA

Olde Saratoga Brewing in Saratoga will host a release party for its new Talon Double IPA from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday (10/18). The beer, which will be less than 24 hours old at that point, is made with five malts, six hops and is dry-hopped with three more hops. It registers 10 percent ABV and 100 IBU.

There will also be samples of Saratoga Brewing’s regular lineup, a special cask ale and barrel-aged imperial stout. Chef David Britton will also be on hand with wood-fired pizza from his Pies on Wheels truck.

Admission is $5. The brewery is located at 131 Excelsior Ave. Talon is released under the Mendocino Brewing Co. label, Olde Saratoga’s parent company.

Actually… not to nitpick, as they do operate a fine locally brewed/staffed brewery, but according to their own website- http://www.oldesaratogabrew.com, “The Olde Saratoga Brewing Company in Saratoga Springs, NY, is the wholly owned subsidiary of Mendocino Brewing Company in Ukiah, California, and has been bringing you the highest quality, fresh, traditional, all malt craft-brewed lager and ales since 1997.”

Mendocino is further majority owned by United Brewers Group, a giant Indian conglomerate (3rd largest alcoholic beverage producer in the world) which is the founding producer of the Kingfisher labels… Hence why Kingfisher brands for US markets are also produced here in Saratoga at the same brewery.

Ahhh, the plot thickens. Thanks for all the info people. I did not know any of that. While they may very well run a fine establishment, I think I’d prefer to support a true small, local brewery like Brown’s in Troy.

Strick9: It is a local brewery. And normally, their samples are free, plus they are right across the street from Eddy’s Beverage, the best beer store north of Oliver’s, and there’s a brew pub in Saratoga as well.

I’m not getting into the “local or not” debate with anyone here. Obviously my definition of local is different than others here. I greatly appreciated the ownership info on this place as I try to frequent small businesses whenever possible, places I know the product is not only produced locally but the company is owned by local residents. If that somehow makes me a pariah, so be it – send a portion of your hard earned dollars to India for all I care.

Local or not, I agree with Wayne (#11) that a 24 hour aging period is insignificant, and probably not long enough. I let my home brews age for about a month before trying them. That’s almost always enough for good quality on my scale.

Olde Saratoga Brewing Company is in fact the “sister” brewery of Mendocino Brewing Company. OSBC produces all MBC products, as well as a unique Lager & IPA under the Olde Saratoga Brewing Company name.

No, it is not a “locally owned” brewery. But even the “King of (American) Beers” is owned by a foreign company.